I decided to retire a month before the end of the school year.  That was four years earlier than I’d planned, but the principal wanted me to go and the money worked out.  Because this scenario wasn’t anticipated, I had only prepared for retirement in a broad sense.

Once retired, I looked for more thoughts on the topic.  The Wall Street Journal has a Retirement Rookies column that could be useful if I wanted to retire in Costa Rica or manage a non-profit.  More pragmatic wisdom came from retired friends.  Here they are.

Do at least one productive activity per day.

Pete added the “at least” later, because I was limiting myself to just one.  Writing it down in a daily planner would be a good idea, but I lack consistency.

Everything doesn’t have to be done today.

Pace yourself and don’t get anxious.  

If you aren’t interested in an activity or pursuit when you were working, you won’t be interested in it when you are retired.

That is much like saying that you won’t be a different person.  While working, there may not be time or energy to pursue some interests.  That’s different than not being interested.  If you always wanted to spend a month abroad, now you have the time.  If you never wanted to travel, you still won’t want to.

I have always loved dogs, but living alone and traveling extensively, never had one.  I’ve had Sparky for a year, and he’s been splendid.

If there is something you have always talked about doing, either do it or forget it.

I bought a camper to take long trips to visit family who don’t live nearby.  I haven’t taken a trip like that, and I’m getting close to the point where I either do it or forget it.  Retired friends and I take a half-dozen short trips per year.  I enjoy that.  This year, I either take the long trip or admit I’m never going to.

There are improvements to my house that I’ve always wanted.  I want a concrete driveway.  It is not as practical now because if I don’t want to plow the driveway, I can just stay home.  I either start calling for quotes or forget it.

There are a couple of corollaries that I have adopted.

Say yes to everything.

If friends or family invite me to something or need my help, my default is to say yes.  It may or may not work out, but it might.  All I risk is time.

A friend invited me to join his group playing Warhammer every couple of weeks.  That isn’t a particular interest of mine, but they are a great group of guys and it expands my circle.  Another friend invited me to join his group for a trip to Pennsylvania to ride ATV’s.  I went, it was fraught with peril, but I didn’t embarrass myself and met a good group of guys.  I doubt that I will do that again, but I can if I want, and my friend knows that I’m capable.

My nephew asked me to  extract him from Fargo, so I went.

Even if it isn’t fun, it keeps me engaged with other people and experiences.

Call or get together with retired friends on any pretext.

Most of us don’t call many people because we don’t want to interrupt their day.  Texting is less intrusive.  Retired people are different.  We are busy, but what we are doing can usually wait.  If a call isn’t convenient, the retiree will say so and call back later.

Texting is less social than calling which is less social than visiting.

If you were wondering about something in which your friend has expertise, call your friend.  If you rent a piece of construction equipment, invite people over to help.  That’s just more entertaining.